Help with positioning bow at back of Rappi late 1950s dress.
- Thread starter laurenm
- Start date
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
I think the bow is fine - it's the shoulder straps that are off!
A lot of late '50s dresses have very wide shoulder lines, sitting right over and it's not uncommon for alterations to be made so that they sit more conventionally. I think I can see two seams, one on each side, where someone has stitched a chunk together to prevent the shoulders sliding down - or maybe they were shorter than the original wearer and made a clumsy adjustment.
If I were you, I would unpick those alterations. If you'd like the bow to sit flatter, just sew a couple of press-studs (poppers), one on each side where you'd like the bow edges to be. That's what they did back in the day. If you look closely, you might even see where they were originally (they might even be under the piece that has now been sewn up).
A lot of late '50s dresses have very wide shoulder lines, sitting right over and it's not uncommon for alterations to be made so that they sit more conventionally. I think I can see two seams, one on each side, where someone has stitched a chunk together to prevent the shoulders sliding down - or maybe they were shorter than the original wearer and made a clumsy adjustment.
If I were you, I would unpick those alterations. If you'd like the bow to sit flatter, just sew a couple of press-studs (poppers), one on each side where you'd like the bow edges to be. That's what they did back in the day. If you look closely, you might even see where they were originally (they might even be under the piece that has now been sewn up).
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
You're welcome: I hope you don't find any nasty surprises under the alterations! I'm sure it will be fine: I have to show ladies all the time how to wear the late '50s shoulder lines, they don't feel comfortable because we're not used to it, and you can always sew in bra keepers if you're worried about your straps showing.
Perhaps you can share a photo of the new dress if it survives its adventure?
Perhaps you can share a photo of the new dress if it survives its adventure?
What a pretty dress! Do you think the bow was originally tacked on the back though?
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
I've seen quite a few '50s dresses with the bow in that positioning, although they're usually evening dresses.
The length of the ties are shorter than the hem though, which suggests that it could be the right length for a waist attachment: can you tell if the stitching is original? I quite like the look of it where it is though, it's very pretty.
The length of the ties are shorter than the hem though, which suggests that it could be the right length for a waist attachment: can you tell if the stitching is original? I quite like the look of it where it is though, it's very pretty.
MyVintageCocktail
VFG Member
Lovely dress, especially with the proper lines to the neckline now! I would just call that a deep scooped neckline.
I would either tack the bow to the dress in position, as Mary Jane notes, or add small snaps to fasten it.
I would either tack the bow to the dress in position, as Mary Jane notes, or add small snaps to fasten it.